Veteran actor Sharmila Tagore has reflected on the loss of Dharmendra and the regret of missing the chance to work with him again in Karan Johar’s ‘Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani’. Speaking in comments reported by Bollywood Hungama, she remembered a co-star she admired deeply and cherished across decades of Hindi cinema.
Remembering a co-star and friend
“We shared the same birthday. He was my co-star in seven films. I knew he was not keeping good health. But the news of his passing is still very saddening.”
Looking back at their early years, she said, “We first worked together in ‘Devar’ and then during the same year in ‘Anupama’. Two very serious subjects, followed by an out-and-out commercial film ‘Mere Humdum Mere Dost’. Shooting with him was a breeze. He was as effortless on screen as he was off it. He was never ‘The Star’ on the sets, always his natural self. There was nothing put-on about him.”She recalled their initial meeting, even before they shared their first film. “Before we worked together, we met when I was shooting with Yash Chopra’s ‘Waqt’. I don’t know in what context he was there. But I remember he was dressed… how shall I put it… not like a star at all. When someone complimented him, he hugged that person with such sincerity. That genuineness stayed with him.”See More: Dharmendra passes away: Ameesha Patel recalls visiting Dharmendra at the hospital: ‘He was in a very critical situation’
Missing the opportunity in ‘Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani’
Tagore had been approached for a role in Johar’s romantic family drama. “I fell ill and couldn’t do the film,” she explained, expressing regret at losing a final collaboration. She shared that “the last film we did together was ‘Sunny’, where he did a small guest appearance for his son Sunny (Deol)’s sake.”She added that she had spoken to him recently about appearing in a documentary being made on her. “He, of course, said very good things about me. I wish we had more opportunities to interact.”Among their many films together, she singled out one as unforgettable. “Wherever I go, fans mention ‘Chupke Chupke’ as their favourite. I am sure Dharmendra also got the same reaction from the public. When I was ill, I watched ‘Chupke Chupke’ and laughed quite a lot. It is a rare comedy that continues to be funny over the years. We don’t make too many genuinely funny comedies.”
